Those Damn Weavers and a Blind Cross

Well we had our first trial last weekend since coming back from America. I didn't have Dancer entered it was just Epic, so a nice relaxed day with two runs :-)

Masters Agility was gorgeous. Open and flowing ......... and yet with only 2 passes, handlers were caught out :-) Our downfall was ...... OMG ........ you guessed it ...... WEAVERS!!!

Epic has had a full month of not doing any agility. I thought the break would have done her weaver "issue" the world of good ....... apparently not!! LOL

So my next thought was, is she sore?? So she's been to Deb Nook this week for accupunture and chiropractic work and fingers crossed she feels much better.

Masters Jumping was a similar course to the Masters National Finals course that was set up this year. And Epic was a little star and went CLEAR!!!! :-)) AND I did a blind cross on a jump!! :-) Well thats to say I walked it as a blind cross .... and I had every intention of doing a blind cross ..... and I'm almost 100% certain I DID DO a blind cross :-) But you know how when things happen sooooooo smoothly and quickly and then you have some self doubt sneak in? Well I have had a moment since the run where I've thought, that went WAY too easily, maybe I did a front cross and didn't realise!!! LOL And I don't have any video to check ...... though I'm pretty confident I did it the way I intended :-)

Now those of you who are shaking their heads and going blind crosses are B.A.D, well they're not for everyone :-) And yes if you do Greg Derrett down to a tee, I'm pretty certain a blind cross should NEVER be tried, BUT in Linda Mecklenburgs system they are "allowed" YAY because they are sooooooo much FUN!!!

AND if you look at the Europeans, they do them EVERYWHERE!!! AND are incrediably successful at agility.

SO for those that are interested :-)

Blind crosses encourage extension :-) (my favourite thing for Miss Epic) they should also only be used when your dog doesn't have a choice in which direction it is going to take. Which means the cross needs to be completed before the dog completes the obsticle, whether it is a jump, tunnel or weave poles.

I'm the first one to admit that I felt completely disconnected with my dog the first time I tried it, but I felt it was a skill I needed to learn even if I didn't use it. But I love them now and I'm very grateful and thank you to Karen Holik for teaching me this skill!!!!